Patriots notebook: Fundamentals the focus against Redskins

Eric McHugh

Saturday

Oct 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMOct 27, 2007 at 6:37 AM

In jetting out to a 7-0 start, the Patriots have continued to insist that there is room to improve. No one is banging that drum any louder this week than defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who wasn't happy with the performance in last Sunday's 49-28 win in Miami.

In jetting out to a 7-0 start, the Patriots have continued to insist that there is room to improve.

No one is banging that drum any louder this week than defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who wasn't happy with the performance in last Sunday's 49-28 win in Miami.

The Dolphins rushed for 179 yards and held the ball for more than 35 minutes. More than once, Patriots defensive linemen (nose tackle Vince Wilfork in particular) were caught jumping into the backfield only to have a Miami runner knife right past them. The tackling wasn't crisp, either.

"I think overall we just didn't play our scheme real well," said Pees, whose team hosts the Washington Redskins (4-2) on Sunday. "I just thought we didn't do very well fundamentally and that's one of the things we've always taken a lot of pride in is the fact that we've been a good fundamental football team.

"We got away from that for whatever reason and we're certainly trying to get that corrected and get back to playing good fundamentals."

Several of Miami's long runs came with the Patriots in nickel and dime packages that were light on defensive linemen. Pees acknowledged, "Maybe if we get caught in a personnel group that is not real good against their personnel group then I consider that my fault."

But he wasn't giving his guys a pass, either, saying, "Whether we're in nickel, dime or sub, it really didn't make any difference ... We don't give them a long leash on any of that stuff."

Asked if it was human nature to let up defensively with a big lead – the Pats were up, 42-7, at halftime against the Dolphins - Pees said, "No, I would hope that human nature is to put your foot on their throat and finish the game. That's what I would hope a defensive personality would be."

First-quarter fight

It will be strength against strength in the first quarter Sunday. The Patriots have overwhelmed teams in the first 15 minutes, outscoring them 72-7 and getting points off all seven of their initial drives (four TDs, three field goals). The Redskins have outscored their opponents, 24-10, in the first quarter and have not allowed any points on their first defensive series.

Washington's problem has come after halftime. In the Redskins' two losses, they were outscored 21-0 by the Giants and 10-0 by the Packers in the second half. They have scored only four second-half TDs this season.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs this week acknowledged that he and Al Saunders, the team's associate head coach/offense, became too conservative while trying to milk a 15-point lead against the Cardinals after intermission last week. Washington hung on for a 21-19 win.

What about Portis?

Redskins RB Clinton Portis, whose 2006 season was cut short by a broken hand in Week 9, is 18th in the league in rushing yards with 406. He has been slowed the last two weeks, averaging 3.2 yards against the Packers (20 carries for 64 yards) and 2.4 against the Cardinals (18-43). Green Bay currently ranks 11th against the run, while Arizona is No. 16.

In his only two career games against the Patriots (as a Bronco) he submitted identical stats - 26 carries for 111 yards - scoring twice in the 2002 game and once in 2003.

International students

Chinese native Long Ding, a defensive end/offensive tackle for the New Hampton (N.H.) School Huskies, will attend Sunday's game.

A Patriots fan - he caught the bug watching Super Bowl XXXIX back home - Long is one of 12 teenagers enrolled in USA Football's International Student Program, which brings foreign students to the U.S. to further their education and their football careers.

Youngsters from Denmark, Germany and Mexico are part of this year's class. USA Football is the sport's national governing body at the grassroots level.

Etc.

Shaun Suisham has missed three of his last five field goal attempts for the Redskins. ... First-time regular-season visitors to Gillette Stadium - the Redskins fit that bill even though they absorbed a 41-0 preseason loss here last summer - are 4-21 and have lost 17 of 18. ... Both the Patriots and Colts are an NFL-best 39-9 at home (playoffs included) since Gillette opened in 2002. ... Receiver Troy Brown will host his annual Celebrity Bingo event Monday night at 6:30 at the Fidelity Clubhouse at Gillette. Tickets are $150 with proceeds benefiting The Inner City Scholarship Fund and Celebrities for Charity. For more information, visit troybrownbingo.com. Brown has yet to practice this season as he remains on the PUP list. … The Patriots belatedly announced the release of defensive lineman Santonio Thomas on Friday night. There was no immediate word on who would fill the empty roster spot. CB Eddie Jackson and DE Richard Seymour, who remain on the PUP list, are candidates.

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